A really impressive new catalog, in particular for including the Heavy mikado, and I expect the Lionel follow-up next issue will be just as impressive for many.
Unfortunately I have reached the point where being old and lame I am disposing of my trains instead of buying. Five years I ago would have purchased one of the very expensive catalogued USRA Heavy Mikados and spent additionally to modify it to more closely resemble a Southern Ms-4 Class 2-8-2 [relocate/remove a few things, generator, Worthington, etc, mount an Elesco Feedwater Heater atop the smoke box and ship it off to Jeff Sohn for decoration and paint according to Southern's freight engine scheme as posted in TIES].
I griped and begged for over 20 years trying to get one imported to no avail. But nowadays, if operating at all on my small layout, I will be reduced to 5-6 engines running 7 car freights and 4-5 car passenger consists behind 2-8-0s and Ten Wheelers or a stinking lone A diesel. Anyway, the Household Domestic CEO monitors the IRA/401 income much more closely than in the past and I am afraid no degree of sneaking and lying would work for a costly Mikado + $$physical upgrade
.
Nevertheless, I am glad to see Lionel finally importing a Heavy 2-8-2 and perhaps the very active O-gauger who bought my 990 Legacy System a few weeks past will spring for one
.
